Messages from the PVAO Administrator, LTGEN ERNESTO G CAROLINA AFP (RET); Chief of Staff, GEN EDUARDO M AÑO AFP (read by the Vice Chief of Staff LTGEN SALVADOR MELCHOR B MISON AFP), and; Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana (read by Department of National Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Retiree Affairs/USCVRA Undersecretary Eduardo Del Rosario) addressed the audience comprised of veterans and their families, uniformed personnel, and, students. Administrator Carolina told students in the audience to hone their God-given gifts and talents and offer such for the country like how the veterans have shown their valor during World War II. The speech of General Año also calls out to the millennials to render the sweetest thanksgiving for the sacrifices of our veterans through music. Lastly, Secretary Lorenzana invited everyone to enjoy the “tapestry of music as rich as the ideals of valor demonstrated by our veterans” and echo its message of Kagitingan (valor).

Not only did the Konsiyerto featured 10 artists (Melissa Camba, Sindaw Philippines, Philippine National Police Band, Philippine Coast Guard Band, PVAO Chorale Group, Philippine Air Force Band, Junior New System, Philippine Army Band, Madrigal Singers, and, Philippine Marines Band), but also engaged the young and wise among the audience to join in the fun. AFP top brass in attendance graced the invitation of the veterans to dance to the music, which the youth and the entire AFP Theater applauded. The “Konsiyerto ng Sundalo para kina Lolo at Lola Beterano” is one of the Pre-Veterans Week activities for the 2017 celebration, which highlight is the 75th Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration on April 9.